Harpers shortlisted for top UK magazine award

Published: 23 July, 2008

The new look Harpers Wine & Spirit will go head-to-head with Esquire and Daily Mail Weekend for the title of Best Designed Magazine in the UK in the prestigious Magazine Design and Journalism Awards.

As well as being shortlisted in the Best Magazine Design category, Harpers is also a finalist in the Best Business-to-Business magazine, the only title in the food and drink sector to be nominated.

The accolade follows the magazine's relaunch in May, which included a new design, editorial strategy and revamped website. Esterson Associates, whose previous design work has included The Guardian, New Statesman and Caterer &

Hotelkeeper, were brought in to help devise and implement the new design.

Allen Gibbons, Harpers' general manager, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the entire Harpers team and a reflection of the hard work that has gone into refocusing Harpers as the magazine about the business of wines and spirits, in tune with our ever changing industry - a process that we remain firmly committed to."

A record number of over 430 national, regional and specialist magazines entered this year's awards in a competition that is regarded as the Oscars of magazine design.

Designer Michael Crozier, who sat on the design awards

panel, said: "The standard was very high and what was particularly good to see was a move back to having good illustration and spending some money on having good photographs as well."

Other magazines shortlisted in the overall design category include the consumer sci-fi magazine FX, and Ryanair's in-flight magazine.

The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 18.

Printer friendly version